HOLLYWOOD  Her live number lasted less than 20 seconds, but Britney Spears still got a standing ovation at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards. And she got the big win: video of the year.

After a taped comedic skit — in which actor Jonah Hill failed repeatedly to kiss the pop star — Spears hurried in from backstage at the Paramount Theater. The crowd erupted. "Thank you so much. Thank you for all the love," Spears, 26, said before introducing the 25th anniversary show in very matter-of-fact fashion.

It was a safe showing for Spears, whose performance on last year's VMAs was nearly universally derided. But this year, she was fit and coherent, reading her lines with few breaks.

She got to take home prizes, too. Three of them. The first award of the evening — best video by a female — went to Spears for Piece of Me. She thanked God, her "beautiful boys and my fans. This is for you." She also won in the pop category and closed the show with video of the year, varying her thank-you speech only slightly each time.

Spears, whose exact role had been under wraps, was the talk of the show even before it started.

"I'm ready to see Britney," said Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy, singer Katy Perry's beau. "I've been through tough times myself. There's no instruction manual for all this."

"I love Britney, and I want her to take over the world again," said country singer Taylor Swift.

Another fan: Chris Brown. "I'll hopefully be working with her soon," he said. "I'm working on a new album but have been so busy writing for other people."

British comedian Russell Brand was host and made several quips about the Jonas Brothers' abstinence pledge and his deep desire to have Barack Obama elected president. The Jonases performed, as did Lil Wayne, Kid Rock, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera and T-Pain.

The format was very different, as artists performed at various venues throughout the Paramount lot, with the theater as the main stage. Linkin Park's Joe Hahn said, "The vibe inside is great. And I love DJ AM and Travis Barker as the house band."

Hip-hop artist Kanye West, who famously vowed last year never to appear on the awards show again after failing to win, went back on his word. West, who even made fun of the tantrum he threw backstage last year on an episode of Saturday Night Live, was the closing act.

Before the broadcast, the signature MTV VMAs circus overtook the red carpet. T-Pain, in a bright red leather top hat and jacket, arrived riding an elephant, surrounded by clowns and acrobats. Members of the band Tokio Hotel drove up in a giant monster truck.

Veterans were just as excited as newcomers. "I'm excited to see everyone," said producer Jermaine Dupri. "I think it will be better than last year's."

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